In business, staying ahead of the competition takes more than just a good idea or gut instinct—it takes solid research to back it up.

It’s this behind-the-scenes work that equips you with the insights you need to make informed decisions, tackle challenges head-on, and seize opportunities before they slip away. It can be the difference between your business thriving and just getting by.

But if we're all being honest, research can also feel like a time-sucking black hole. Hours can slip away as you comb through data, analyze markets, and get lost in endless Google searches.

You know how important this work is, but how can you juggle it all without neglecting the rest of your core business activities?

This is where outsourcing to a virtual assistant (VA) can make all the difference.

Keep reading for nine research tasks you can hand over to a virtual assistant, helping you reclaim valuable time and boost productivity.

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant is an independent contractor who works remotely to help manage various administrative tasks for your business. They can handle everything from scheduling appointments and managing calendars to data entry and customer support.

However, the big difference is that virtual assistants work from their home office, making them a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time, in-person employee. Since VAs work remotely, one of the key benefits is that you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like office space, equipment, or employee benefits.

You only pay for the time they spend on your tasks, meaning every dollar is spent efficiently. In fact, the cost savings from working with a virtual assistant can be up to 90% compared to hiring full-time staff.

How a virtual assistant can help you with research

The good news is that virtual assistants can do so much more than just your typical administrative support.

Let’s explore some of the common research tasks a virtual assistant can help you with to lighten your workload and help you focus on the bigger picture:

1. Competitor analysis

Keeping tabs on your competition is essential for staying ahead in the game, but it's something that can easily fall by the wayside when your time is stretched thin. This is where a virtual assistant can step in and make your life easier.

They can take on the task of gathering valuable data about your competitors, including their products, services, pricing, marketing strategies, and even customer reviews. They’ll compile everything into easy-to-read reports, saving you precious time and making it easier for you to stay informed.

With all this information at your fingertips, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of your own position in the market and identify areas that could use some improvement. Plus, your VA can keep an eye on any changes in your competitors’ offerings or strategies, helping you spot gaps in the market or exciting new opportunities.

Delegating competitor analysis to virtual research assistants lets you focus on what really matters—refining your strategies and growing your business—without getting bogged down in data gathering.

2. Market trends

As a busy entrepreneur, keeping up with industry changes and consumer trends can feel like a full-time job on its own—and you’ve already got enough on your plate! This is another area where a virtual research assistant can make a real difference, helping you stay ahead of the curve without pulling you away from your most important tasks.

A skilled virtual assistant can conduct market research to track shifts in your industry, spot emerging trends, and monitor changes in consumer preferences. Whether it’s tracking demand, keeping an eye on new technologies, or understanding what your audience is leaning toward, they’ve got you covered.

With this valuable information, you’ll be ready to fine-tune your strategies—whether it’s launching a new product, adjusting pricing, or exploring new markets. Instead of spending hours deciphering complex reports, your virtual assistant can distill all that data into clear, actionable insights. That way, you can focus on making informed decisions and staying competitive, while they handle the legwork.

3. Industry news

With new regulations, technology breakthroughs, and competitor announcements popping up all the time, missing even one key update can leave you out of the loop.

A virtual research assistant can monitor news sources, industry publications, and social media channels to track the latest developments and trends that impact your business. They can summarize the key takeaways and highlight what matters most, to help make sure you don't get overwhelmed by information overload.

This way, you’ll be well-prepared for any industry shifts, challenges, or exciting new opportunities that come your way, without having to sift through countless articles yourself.

4. Client/Customer feedback

Knowing how your customers feel about your products or services is a key step in growing your business. Gathering their feedback, however, can be a bit of a time drain.

That’s why you need a virtual research assistant. They can handle conducting surveys, collecting reviews, and organizing testimonials, so you don’t have to. Your VA can also keep tabs on your social media platforms to see what your audiences are saying, so you always have a pulse on customer sentiment.

This valuable feedback can shape your strategies, help you refine your offerings, and ultimately improve the customer experience. With them managing these tasks, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what your clients love and where there’s room to improve—without spending hours piecing it all together.

See: How A Virtual Assistant Can Help Increase Customer Retention In Your Business

5. Content research

According to a Forbes report, content marketing generates an average return on investment (ROI) of $2.77 for every $1 spent—that’s a whopping 177% profit! This shows just how powerful a solid content marketing strategy can be for driving business growth.

But to achieve that level of success, your content needs to stand out—and that requires the right research and valuable insights for your audience. Whether you need solid facts and up-to-date information to back up your statements or fresh topics to cover, a virtual research assistant has got you covered.

With their help, you can streamline your content creation process significantly, not only saving you time but also making sure everything you publish is informative and engaging. This goes a long way in establishing your brand as a trusted authority in your field, as well as driving even more impressive ROI in the long run!

See: How To Successfully Outsource Your Content Writing To A Virtual Assistant

6. Supplier/Vendor research

Finding reliable suppliers or service providers can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, and can take up a lot of your precious time. Working with a virtual research assistant lets you skip the hassle of comparing countless options while avoiding the risk of partnering with an unreliable supplier.

A research VA can identify potential vendors and vet them according to your specific criteria, such as pricing, ratings and reviews, or delivery times. They can provide you with a curated list of the best options to help you make confident decisions more quickly, and they can even conduct initial outreach if needed.

And if your business is growing and you need to switch vendors or explore new options, no problem! Your virtual assistant can keep the research ongoing to make sure you’re always working with the best suppliers to meet your evolving needs.

7. Product/service research

Whether you’re thinking about switching internet providers, upgrading your devices, or even just getting a haircut, we all want to make sure we're choosing the best options for our needs—and at a price that won’t break the bank.

Recent surveys show that 85% of us will conduct some form of research before buying online. For major purchases, the time we spend gathering information can stretch out to a staggering 79 days! Even just a few minutes of daily research can add up to over two and a half hours lost in that time frame.

So, while it pays to be diligent in finding the best product or service, you don’t have to tackle this task all by yourself. As a business owner, there are far better uses of your time and energy.

A virtual assistant can help take the stress out of the equation by researching all the available options for you. With the right guidance, they'll send you a curated selection of choices tailored to your needs, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions without the hassle.

8. Travel research

Data shows that 71% of US adults find travel planning at least somewhat stressful. With countless flight options, hotel reviews, and ever-changing itineraries, it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed.

But let’s be real, planning a trip should be exciting, not something that makes you want to pull your hair out. This is where experienced virtual assistants can be worth their weight in gold.

Want to find the most affordable, direct flight without spending hours clicking through endless travel sites? Need a hotel that’s close to the conference venue? Your VA can track down the best flight options, compare hotels or rentals, arrange transport at your destination, and organize a custom itinerary that fits your schedule and preferences.

They can also keep you informed about travel restrictions, suggest local attractions to visit, and even help you find hidden gems that you might not find in a typical guidebook.

So, while your virtual PA handles the details, you can sit back and focus on making the most out of your travels.

See: 5 Ways A Virtual Assistant Can Help You Plan Your Next Vacation

9. Presenting research findings

Whether it’s market research, industry trends, or customer feedback, collecting data is only half the battle in the research process.

Once you've gathered your information, the next crucial step is to organize and present these research findings clearly.

With plenty of instructions and guidance, skilled virtual assistants can help you organize your raw data and transform it into compelling visual formats. Utilizing tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva, your VA can create eye-catching presentations, reports, charts, graphs, or infographics.

Letting your virtual research assistant handle the nitty-gritty of data presentation doesn't just save you hours of work, it preserves your mental energy for where it's needed most—that all-important data analysis and decision-making that pushes your business forward.

What’s the bottom line?

When you have solid data to support your decisions, it enhances your business's credibility and gives you the confidence to back your strategies. But the trouble is, actually finding the time to conduct research is much easier said than done when your to-do list never seems to shrink.

Instead of trying to squeeze research into your already jam-packed schedule, having a research virtual assistant in your corner can be a real game-changer.

Whether you need insightful market research into your target audience, data collection for that big presentation, or product research for your personal projects, a virtual research assistant can streamline the whole process so you always have the most relevant information at your fingertips—without the headache of sifting through countless sources yourself.

If you want to free up precious hours while still tapping into the vital information you need to drive business growth, Time etc is here for you.

• Enter your regular tasks into our to-do list optimizer, and we'll show you which ones can be handed off to a virtual assistant and which ones should stay on your plate.
• Answer a few simple questions, and our task wizard will provide you with personalized task recommendations tailored to your needs and business. (As a bonus, you'll get $150 off your first month of virtual assistant support with Time etc!)

Ready to take the next step?

Speak to our expert team, and we’ll handle everything from there!

We understand how valuable your time and resources are, so by working with us, you’ll save between three to six weeks of searching for the perfect assistant and up to 90% of the costs compared to hiring in-house!

We’re ready to set you up with a qualified and capable individual based on the skills and experience you need, so get in touch today.